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Kern County Health Department Coronavirus Update: May 18, 2020

Posted at 11:38 AM, May 18, 2020
and last updated 2020-05-18 15:35:05-04

There are new numbers of coronavirus cases in Kern County with 1,547 total positive cases, including 10 non-residents, 976 people have recovered and the death toll remains at 25. Nearly 13,000 tests have come back negative and about 1,600 are still pending.

During Monday morning's press conference, Kern County Public Health Department Director Matt Constantine gave an update on the Kingston Healthcare Center, saying that as of Friday, there are 49 residents and 75 healthcare workers that have tested positive, and 12 deaths.

Constantine added that at Valley Convalescent Hospital there are 17 residents and 9 healthcare workers that have tested positive.

He also discussed the new testing initiative for these nursing facilities.

"Beginning Friday we deployed 5 individuals that went out to Valley Convalescent to start testing ourselves. This has occurred at the county's cost but it's intended to identify those who may be positive earlier so we can help mitigate any transmission to any staff member or any of the other residents that live in these facilities."

Constantine said 70 employees at Valley Convalescent have been tested so far and they plan to test 100 more at San Joaquin Nursing Center Monday and Tuesday.